Methods of Analysis for Imaging and Detecting Ions and Molecules

Abstract

For imaging molecular processes in living cells, we developed novel intracellular fluorescent and bioluminescent indicators for second messengers, protein phosphorylation, protein/protein interactions, and protein localizations that work in single living cells. Key molecules and steps of cellular signaling pathways were visualized in target live cells under fluorescent microscopy using developed fluorescent indicators. A second new approach to molecular imaging is also described. Chemically modified STM tips (molecular tips) were developed for molecular imaging at the interfaces. The molecule-specific imaging is based on an increase in a tunneling current due to the overlap of electronic wave functions induced by the chemical interactions between tip and sample molecules. Chemically selective imaging using STM molecular tips can be described as intermolecular tunneling microscopy.